Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080204218 | EVENT RECORDER FOR PORTABLE MEDIA DEVICE - Operational parametric sensing and event recording capabilities are provided for portable electronic devices such as media players, cell phones, laptop computers, and the like that takes the can take the form of a standalone sensing unit or as an integrated component of the portable electronic device. | 08-28-2008 |
20080219672 | INTEGRATED INFRARED RECEIVER AND EMITTER FOR MULTIPLE FUNCTIONALITIES - Apparatuses and methods to detect and emit various infrared (IR) and ambient light signals using an integrated sensor and emitter device. Embodiments include a sensor to sense proximity, to sense IR data signals, and to sense ambient light; and an emitter of an IR proximity signal. The sensor detects the IR proximity signal from the emitter when the apparatus is sensing proximity, detects IR data signals when the apparatus is detecting IR data, and detects ambient light when the apparatus sensing light. The IR data signals may include IR remote control (IR RC) and/or IR data association (IRDA) signals. The signals may be detected simultaneously and may be in different frequency bands. According to embodiments, such an emitter may also emit an IR data signals, such as IR RC and/or IRDA signals. These signals may be emitted simultaneously and may be in different frequency bands. | 09-11-2008 |
20090006700 | CONNECTOR INTERFACE SYSTEM FOR A MULTI-COMMUNICATION DEVICE - A connector interface system for a communication device is disclosed. The interface includes a docking connector. The docking connector includes first make/last break contacts that minimize internal damage to the internal electronics. The docking connector also includes specific keying arrangement to prevent noncompliant connectors from being plugged in, and thereby minimizes potential damage to the multi-communication device. The connector interface system also includes a remote connector which provides for the ability to output audio, input audio, provides I/O serial protocol, and to provide an output video. Embodiments of the present invention allow for a standard headphone cable to be plugged in but also for special remote control cables, microphone cables, video cables could be utilized in such a system. The connector interface system also includes a serial protocol to control device features. These controls help a user sort and search for data more efficiently within the device. | 01-01-2009 |
20090006701 | TECHNIQUES FOR TRANSFERRING STATUS INFORMATION BETWEEN AN ACCESSORY AND A MULTI-COMMUNICATION DEVICE - A connector interface system for a communication device is disclosed. The interface includes a docking connector. The docking connector includes first make/last break contacts that minimize internal damage to the internal electronics. The docking connector also includes specific keying arrangement to prevent noncompliant connectors from being plugged in, and thereby minimizes potential damage to the multi-communication device. The connector interface system also includes a remote connector which provides for the ability to output audio, input audio, provides I/O serial protocol, and to provide an output video. Embodiments of the present invention allow for a standard headphone cable to be plugged in but also for special remote control cables, microphone cables, video cables could be utilized in such a system. The connector interface system also includes a serial protocol to control device features. These controls help a user sort and search for data more efficiently within the device. | 01-01-2009 |
20090013096 | TECHNIQUES FOR TRANSFERRING INFORMATION BETWEEN AN ACCESSORY AND A MULTI-COMMUNICATION DEVICE - A connector interface system for a communication device is disclosed. The interface includes a docking connector. The docking connector includes first make/last break contacts that minimize internal damage to the internal electronics. The docking connector also includes specific keying arrangement to prevent noncompliant connectors from being plugged in, and thereby minimizes potential damage to the multi-communication device. The connector interface system also includes a remote connector which provides for the ability to output audio, input audio, provides I/O serial protocol, and to provide an output video. Embodiments of the present invention allow for a standard headphone cable to be plugged in but also for special remote control cables, microphone cables, video cables could be utilized in such a system. The connector interface system also includes a serial protocol to control device features. These controls help a user sort and search for data more efficiently within the device. | 01-08-2009 |
20090013110 | CONNECTOR INTERFACE SYSTEM FOR ENABLING DATA COMMUNICATION WITH A MULTI-COMMUNICATION DEVICE - A connector interface system for a communication device is disclosed. The interface includes a docking connector. The docking connector includes first make/last break contacts that minimize internal damage to the internal electronics. The docking connector also includes specific keying arrangement to prevent noncompliant connectors from being plugged in, and thereby minimizes potential damage to the multi-communication device. The connector interface system also includes a remote connector which provides for the ability to output audio, input audio, provides I/O serial protocol, and to provide an output video. Embodiments of the present invention allow for a standard headphone cable to be plugged in but also for special remote control cables, microphone cables, video cables could be utilized in such a system. The connector interface system also includes a serial protocol to control device features. These controls help a user sort and search for data more efficiently within the device. | 01-08-2009 |
20090013253 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING VIDEO SELECTION AND PLAYBACK IN A PORTABLE MEDIA PLAYER - A method and system in accordance with the present invention allows an accessory to control settings of a portable media player when providing video to an accessory, to control playback of the portable media player and to provide for navigation between video tracks in a hierarchical fashion. In so doing, a portable media player can then utilize this information to provide for the maximum functionality of the accessory when connected to the portable media player. | 01-08-2009 |
20090125134 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING AN ACCESSORY HAVING A TUNER - A method, system, and connector interface for controlling an accessory. The method includes obtaining, by a portable media player, tuning information from the accessory; and controlling, by the portable media player, the accessory based on the tuning information. According to the system and method disclosed herein, the portable media player and accessory may utilize a plurality of commands utilized in a variety of environments such as within a connector interface system environment to control access to the portable media player. | 05-14-2009 |
20090132076 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ALLOWING A MEDIA PLAYER TO DETERMINE IF IT SUPPORTS THE CAPABILITIES OF AN ACCESSORY - A method and system for allowing a media player to determine if it supports the capabilities of an accessory are disclosed. The method and system comprise requesting information about the capabilities of the accessory by the media player and providing information about the capabilities of the accessory by the accessory to the media player. The method and system further include utilizing the information to determine if the capabilities of the accessory are supported by the media player. Accordingly, a method and system in accordance with the present invention provides a system that allows a media player to obtain information from an accessory about the accessory's capability. A media player can then utilize this information to allow for the maximum functionality of the accessory when connected to the media player. | 05-21-2009 |
20090170486 | Urgent communications - A communications system by which a user may provide inputs using an accessory device is provided. The accessory device may provide instructions to the communications device over any suitable wired or wireless communications path. The accessory device may include any suitable input mechanism for providing an input, including for example one or more switches, sliders, knobs, keys, motion sensing components, environmental sensing components, or any other input mechanism that the user may actuate. A communications system by which a communications device may transmit urgent communications requests is provided. The user may select an urgent option when transmitting a communications request to cause the recipient communications device to enable an urgent mode in which the recipient communications device may change the notification scheme to ensure that the recipient receives the urgent communications request. | 07-02-2009 |
20090170567 | Hands-free communication - A communications system by which a user may provide inputs using an accessory device is provided. The accessory device may provide instructions to the communications device over any suitable wired or wireless communications path. The accessory device may include any suitable input mechanism for providing an input, including for example one or more switches, sliders, knobs, keys, motion sensing components, environmental sensing components, or any other input mechanism that the user may actuate. A communications system by which a communications device may transmit urgent communications requests is provided. The user may select an urgent option when transmitting a communications request to cause the recipient communications device to enable an urgent mode in which the recipient communications device may change the notification scheme to ensure that the recipient receives the urgent communications request. | 07-02-2009 |
20090198361 | COMMUNICATION BETWEEN AN ACCESSORY AND A MEDIA PLAYER WITH MULTIPLE LINGOES - An interface and protocol allow a media player to communicate with external accessories over a transport link. The protocol includes a core protocol functionality and a number of accessory lingoes. Examples of accessory lingoes include a microphone lingo, a simple remote lingo, a display remote lingo, an RF transmitter lingo, and an extended interface lingo. | 08-06-2009 |
20090204244 | COMMUNICATION BETWEEN AN ACCESSORY AND A MEDIA PLAYER WITH MULTIPLE PROTOCOL VERSIONS - An interface and protocol allow a media player to communicate with external accessories over a transport link. The protocol includes a core protocol functionality and a number of accessory lingoes. Examples of accessory lingoes include a microphone lingo, a simple remote lingo, a display remote lingo, an RF transmitter lingo, and an extended interface lingo. | 08-13-2009 |
20090204738 | COMMUNICATION BETWEEN AN ACCESSORY AND A MEDIA PLAYER WITH MULTIPLE PROTOCOL VERSIONS - An interface and protocol allow a media player to communicate with external accessories over a transport link. The protocol includes a core protocol functionality and a number of accessory lingoes. Examples of accessory lingoes include a microphone lingo, a simple remote lingo, a display remote lingo, an RF transmitter lingo, and an extended interface lingo. | 08-13-2009 |
20090210079 | COMMUNICATION BETWEEN A MEDIA PLAYER AND AN ACCESSORY USING A PROTOCOL WITH MULTIPLE LINGOES - An interface and protocol allow a media player to communicate with external accessories over a transport link. The protocol includes a core protocol functionality and a number of accessory lingoes. Examples of accessory lingoes include a microphone lingo, a simple remote lingo, a display remote lingo, an RF transmitter lingo, and an extended interface lingo. | 08-20-2009 |
20090249101 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING POWER PROVIDED TO AN ACCESSORY - A method for a portable media player to control power provided an accessory is disclosed. The method includes requesting information about the power capabilities of the accessory by the portable media player. The method further includes providing information about the power capabilities of the accessory by the accessory to the portable media player, and utilizing the information to set the power of the accessory. A method and system in accordance with the present invention provides a system that allows a portable media player to obtain information from an accessory concerning its power requirements. A portable media player can then utilize the power requirements information to allow for the powering of the accessory when connected to the portable media player. | 10-01-2009 |
20090289789 | EVENT RECORDER FOR PORTABLE MEDIA DEVICE - Operational parametric sensing and event recording capabilities are provided for portable electronic devices such as media players, cell phones, laptop computers, and the like that takes the can take the form of a standalone sensing unit or as an integrated component of the portable electronic device. | 11-26-2009 |
20090292835 | TECHNIQUES FOR TRANSFERRING STATUS INFORMATION BETWEEN AN ACCESSORY AND A MULTI-COMMUNICATION DEVICE - A connector interface system for a communication device is disclosed. The interface includes a docking connector. The docking connector includes first make/last break contacts that minimize internal damage to the internal electronics. The docking connector also includes specific keying arrangement to prevent noncompliant connectors from being plugged in, and thereby minimizes potential damage to the multi-communication device. The connector interface system also includes a remote connector which provides for the ability to output audio, input audio, provides I/O serial protocol, and to provide an output video. Embodiments of the present invention allow for a standard headphone cable to be plugged in but also for special remote control cables, microphone cables, video cables could be utilized in such a system. The connector interface system also includes a serial protocol to control device features. These controls help a user sort and search for data more efficiently within the device. | 11-26-2009 |
20090299506 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TRANSFERRING STATUS INFORMATION BETWEEN A MEDIA PLAYER AND AN ACCESSORY - A method, system, and connector interface for transferring status information between a media player and an accessory. The method includes determining, by the accessory, when a button event occurs; and transmitting, by the accessory, at least one button status command to the media player, where the one or more button status commands comprise a context-specific button status command and at least one command associated with a particular media type. According to the method and system disclosed herein, the media player and accessory may utilize a plurality of commands in a variety of environments such as within a connector interface system environment to facilitate the transfer of status information. | 12-03-2009 |
20100106879 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING VIDEO SELECTION AND PLAYBACK IN A PORTABLE MEDIA PLAYER - A method and system in accordance with the present invention provides a system that allows a portable media player to control settings of portable media player when receiving video from an accessory, to control playback of the portable media player and to provide for navigation between video tracks in a hierarchical fashion. In so doing, a portable media player can then utilize this information to provide for the maximum functionality of the accessory when connected to the portable media player. | 04-29-2010 |
20100309369 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE FLASH SHUTTER - An electronic device may have a camera module for acquiring still and video digital images of a subject. A light source such as a light-emitting diode may serve as a flash for the camera module. A shutter may be mounted above the light-emitting diode. When the light-emitting diode is not being used to produce a flash of light for illuminating the subject, the shutter may be closed to block the light-emitting diode from view by a user. During image acquisition operations in which it is desired to illuminate the subject, the shutter may be opened to allow light from the light-emitting diode to exit the electronic device. The electronic device may have a touch screen display with an active region and an inactive region. The camera module and light source may be mounted under a portion of the inactive region of the display. The shutter may include a filter structure. | 12-09-2010 |
20110066775 | Communication Between a Media Player and an Accessory with an Extended Interface Mode - An interface and protocol allow a media player to communicate with external accessories over a transport link. The protocol includes a core protocol functionality and a number of accessory lingoes. Examples of accessory lingoes include a microphone lingo, a simple remote lingo, a display remote lingo, an RF transmitter lingo, and an extended interface lingo. | 03-17-2011 |
20110066776 | Communication Between a Media Player and an Accessory with an Extended Interface Mode - An interface and protocol allow a media player to communicate with external accessories over a transport link. The protocol includes a core protocol functionality and a number of accessory lingoes. Examples of accessory lingoes include a microphone lingo, a simple remote lingo, a display remote lingo, an RF transmitter lingo, and an extended interface lingo. | 03-17-2011 |
20110086551 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND CONNECTOR - A connector interface system for a communication device is disclosed. The interface includes a docking connector. The docking connector includes first make/last break contacts that minimize internal damage to the internal electronics. The docking connector also includes specific keying arrangement to prevent noncompliant connectors from being plugged in, and thereby minimizes potential damage to the multi-communication device. The connector interface system also includes a remote connector which provides for the ability to output audio, input audio, provides I/O serial protocol, and to provide an output video. Embodiments of the present invention allow for a standard headphone cable to be plugged in but also for special remote control cables, microphone cables, video cables could be utilized in such a system. The connector interface system also includes a serial protocol to control device features. These controls help a user sort and search for data more efficiently within the device. | 04-14-2011 |
20110116646 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND EXTERNAL EQUIPMENT WITH DIGITAL NOISE CANCELLATION AND DIGITAL AUDIO PATH - Electronic devices and accessories are provided that may communicate over wired communications paths. The electronic devices may be portable electronic devices such as cellular telephones or media players and may have audio connectors such as 3.5 mm audio jacks. The accessories may be headsets or other equipment having mating 3.5 mm audio plugs and speakers for playing audio. Microphones may be included in an accessory to gather voice signals and noise cancellation signals. Analog-to-digital converter circuitry in the accessory may digitize the microphone signals. Digital voice signals and voice noise cancellation signals can be transmitted over the communications path and processed by audio digital signal processor circuitry in an electronic device. Digital-to-analog converter circuitry in the accessory may convert digital audio signals to analog speaker signals. Digital noise cancellation signals may use digital noise signals to cancel noise from digital audio signals that have been received from an electronic device. | 05-19-2011 |
20120084591 | POWER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Systems and methods for efficiently managing power consumption in portable electronic devices are provided. In one embodiment, power management circuitry may operate the device in a low power mode (e.g., a HIBERNATION mode), but enables the device to quickly become fully operational in response to a power-ON event, despite having been in that low power mode. This may be accomplished by powering a processor engaging memory (e.g., SDRAM) while other circuitry are powered OFF. In another embodiment, the display may be driven by an application portion when operating in an ON mode, but may be driven by a carrier portion when the application is operating in a low power mode. In another embodiment, various discrete circuitry portions are selectively turned ON and OFF, depending, for example, on whether a particular discrete circuitry portion is idle or its processing functionality is not needed. | 04-05-2012 |
20120096189 | Method and System for Allowing a Media Player to Determine if it Supports the Capabilities of an Accessory - A method and system for allowing a media player to determine if it supports the capabilities of an accessory are disclosed. The method and system comprise requesting information about the capabilities of the accessory by the media player and providing information about the capabilities of the accessory by the accessory to the media player. The method and system further include utilizing the information to determine if the capabilities of the accessory are supported by the media player. Accordingly, a method and system in accordance with the present invention provides a system that allows a media player to obtain information from an accessory about the accessory's capability. A media player can then utilize this information to allow for the maximum functionality of the accessory when connected to the media player. | 04-19-2012 |
20120102236 | COMMUNICATION BETWEEN AN ACCESSORY AND A MEDIA PLAYER WITH MULTIPLE PROTOCOL VERSIONS - An interface and protocol allow a media player to communicate with external accessories over a transport link. The protocol includes a core protocol functionality and a number of accessory lingoes. Examples of accessory lingoes include a microphone lingo, a simple remote lingo, a display remote lingo, an RF transmitter lingo, and an extended interface lingo. | 04-26-2012 |
20120137028 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TRANSFERRING STATUS INFORMATION BETWEEN A MEDIA PLAYER AND AN ACCESSORY - A method, system, and connector interface for transferring status information between a media player and an accessory. The method includes determining, by the accessory, when a button event occurs; and transmitting, by the accessory, at least one button status command to the media player, where the one or more button status commands comprise a context-specific button status command and at least one command associated with a particular media type. According to the method and system disclosed herein, the media player and accessory may utilize a plurality of commands in a variety of environments such as within a connector interface system environment to facilitate the transfer of status information. | 05-31-2012 |
20120250913 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND EXTERNAL EQUIPMENT WITH DIGITAL NOISE CANCELLATION AND DIGITAL AUDIO PATH - Electronic devices and accessories are provided that may communicate over wired communications paths. The electronic devices may be portable electronic devices such as cellular telephones or media players and may have audio connectors such as 3.5 mm audio jacks. The accessories may be headsets or other equipment having mating 3.5 mm audio plugs and speakers for playing audio. Microphones may be included in an accessory to gather voice signals and noise cancellation signals. Analog-to-digital converter circuitry in the accessory may digitize the microphone signals. Digital voice signals and voice noise cancellation signals can be transmitted over the communications path and processed by audio digital signal processor circuitry in an electronic device. Digital-to-analog converter circuitry in the accessory may convert digital audio signals to analog speaker signals. Digital noise cancellation signals may use digital noise signals to cancel noise from digital audio signals that have been received from an electronic device. | 10-04-2012 |
20130014247 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTHENTICATING AN ACCESSORY - A method, system, and connector interface for authenticating an accessory, the method includes performing a first authentication operation on the accessory by the media player, where an authentication certificate is validated; and performing a second authentication operation on the accessory by the media player, where an authentication signature is validated. According to the system and method disclosed herein, the media player and accessory may utilize a plurality of commands utilized in a variety of environments such as within a connector interface system environment to control access to the media player. | 01-10-2013 |
20140223184 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTHENTICATING AN ACCESSORY - A method, system, and connector interface for authenticating an accessory. the method includes performing a first authentication operation on the accessory by the media player, where an authentication certificate is validated; and performing a second authentication operation on the accessory by the media player, where an authentication signature is validated. According to the system and method disclosed herein, the media player and accessory may utilize a plurality of commands utilized in a variety of environments such as within a connector interface system environment to control access to the media player. | 08-07-2014 |